Teachers are Scrutinized

James 3:1 “Not many of you should presume to be teachers, my brothers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly.” NIV

Teacher equaled our word Master in Jewish culture.  The KJV says, “Be not many Masters,” and the NAS says, “Let not many of you become teachers.”

            Lord, all of us should aspire to become knowledgeable of Your Word to be able to teach, but not every Christian should presume to be a teacher.  Teaching is a gift of Your Holy Spirit.  What we teachers live has a great effect on those who follow us.  Their spiritual well being usually depends on what we live as much as, or sometimes more than, what we “teach” in words.  A teacher’s walk must be impeccable. Will we be perfect? NO, but we must be quick to confess and repent when we sin or our pupils will suffer.

            We are held to a greater standard and the KJV says, “will fall under greater condemnation.”  Since in Romans 8:1 You clearly tell us that ,"there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus,"  I believe that the NIV uses better terminology here.  Our sins have been judged and forgiven only because of the blood of Christ on our behalf.  Our works will be judges at the Bema seat, and as teachers, we will be scrutinized more closely than others.